Australia, on the back of three centuries, made a mammoth 538 before declaring their innings. Pakistan were 126/2 at stumps on Day 2 at the SCG, courtesy half-centuries from Azhar Ali and Younis Khan after Hazlewood had reduced them to 6/2 in 4 overs.
Earlier, Renshaw missed a double century by 16 runs while Peter Handscomb completed his second Test hundred, making a career-best 110. Debutant Hilton Cartwright added 37 in a 91 run stand with Handscomb.
Also read: Australia vs Pakistan, Third Test, Day 2, Stats: Peter Handscomb continues his good run
Pakistan started poorly but were helped by the stable duo of Ali and Younis as they put on 120 to stage a mini fight back. Although far from safety, Pakistan are in a better position than they were after losing Sharjeel and Babar Azam in the same over.
Here are the talking points from day 2 at the SCG.
#5 Renshaw-Marsh tussle tilting in Renshaw's favour
Matt Renshaw would probably have not made his Test debut against the Proteas in Adelaide had Shaun Marsh been fit. The elder southpaw was initially named in the Test squad for the series against South Africa before he was deemed unfit and Joe Burns was picked instead.
Renshaw came in for the final Test as a result of some wholesale changes in the squad after losing the series in Hobart. He has since then impressed with his attitude and technique. He has shown maturity way beyond his 20 years, and has played composed knocks, none more so than the 184 here in Sydney.
He may not have gotten to the coveted double hundred but his temperament and ability to quicken his pace after a slow start came in for rave reviews from critics. There is no doubt that Renshaw will be on the plane to India. Whether Shaun Marsh, who is fit now, will be on that same flight will rest in the selectors’ hands.
#4 Peter Handscomb continues his dream run
The middle order batsman from Victoria is making heads turn with his scintillating form of late. His footwork has been decisive and he has batted quite positively for someone new to the international arena.
Handscomb notched up his second hundred of the series and his career by smashing a career-best 110 off 205 balls. His average had dropped to the 80s from the 90s after the last Test but this hundred has taken it within touching distance of 90 yet again.
The Victorian, however, does have a few flaws in his technique and this proved to be his downfall. Handscomb often goes deep in the crease on the back foot to play deliveries and this leaves him susceptible to fuller ones. On this occasion, Wahab Riaz speared in a yorker and Handscomb went back to dig it out and in the process, his bat grazed the stumps and he was dismissed hit wicket.
#3 Pakistan's fielding under the scanner yet again
Pakistan have never had lightning quick fielders and catchers. However, they have had safe pairs of hands and good wicket keepers in the past. That no longer seems to be the case, though.
In the first session of day 2, Pakistan misfielded quite often, dropped a catch and squandered a simple stumping chance. Debutant Hilton Cartwright missed a drive off Yasir but Sarfraz was not alert enough, and missed the ball completely, spoiling an easy stumping opportunity.
Later, Younis Khan missed another chance to get the debutant out as he dropped one at slip off Azhar Ali's teasing leg spin. Babar Azam and Misbah-ul-Haq also misfielded to give Aussies some freebies early in the day.
#2 Hazlewood's burst
With 538 on the board, the Aussie seamers had full freedom to have a go at the Pakistani batsmen. Hazlewood, known for his nagging lines, continued his fine run in Test cricket by dismissing Sharjeel Khan and Babar Azam in the same over.
In the fourth over of the Pakistani innings, Hazlewood slanted one across the left-handed Sharjeel Khan. The southpaw, known for his attacking instincts, could not resist the temptation of a full ball outside his off-stump and went for an expansive drive only to edge to first slip.
Babar Azam, who has been prolific in ODIs, has failed thus far in Tests. His wretched luck continued as he missed a ball that seamed into him only to be trapped in front of the stumps for a duck in the second last ball of the same over.
#1 Younis and Azhar Ali build for Pakistan
Azhar Ali has been the one batsman unperturbed by the failures of his teammates during this series for Pakistan. He was at it yet again today after Sharjeel Khan and Babar Azam threw away their wickets.
From 6/2, Azhar Ali and Younis Khan built patiently, leaving the good balls and pouncing on anything loose and wide as they forged a 120 run stand to take Pakistan closer to safety. Younis has been severely criticised for throwing away his wicket in this series, but the senior pro showed his experience as he stood firmly with Ali.
Younis was unbeaten at 64 while Azhar Ali compiled another half-century and remained unbeaten on 58 at stumps on day 2 at Sydney. The job is far from done for Pakistan and it is up to these two to instil some stability in the batting tomorrow.
Brand-new app in a brand-new avatar! Download Cric Rocket for fast cricket scores, rocket flicks, super notifications and much more!
